The Wire Room
Hank Bridger
"Hank"
Kansas-Nebraska Plains
About
Third-generation wheat farmer from Colby, Kansas, who started writing for the county paper to keep people informed about water table levels and crop insurance fights. When the paper folded, he kept writing — just without anyone to print it. He covers 18 counties of wheat fields, feedlots, and small towns holding on.
Kansas-Nebraska Plains Perspective
Lives by the Farmers' Almanac. Knows every creek crossing in western Kansas. Follows K-State football and will not discuss the basketball program's recent troubles.
Local Coverage
Grain elevators as the tallest structures for miles, the smell of feedlots on a hot day, tornado season as a lifestyle, the co-op coffee pot as the town square, county fairs that are the social event of the year.